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Combat Shock Customer Reviews (1 - 3 of 16 Reviews)

Recommended Especially for Anyone Thinking of Joining the Army
As part of my job I once witnessed real-life "combat shock" in a former British soldier who had witnessed atrocities in Bosnia in the early 90s. There were definite similarities between him and the main character in this film, in particular the kind of quiet insanity that is depicted in it. With shell-shocked troops now starting to hit the streets following service in Iraq, this film is perhaps now especially relevant, given the similarities between this conflict and Vietnam.

I like films that tell things like they are. So, here you get the relationship troubles, unemployment, crime, drug/drink problems that often go with discharge from the armed forces. Even the deformed baby has relevance now, given the ongoing exposure of troops in Iraq to radioactive/chemical weapons. The portrayal of the poverty-stricken side of America makes a nice change from the usual feel-good images seen in the UK in shows like Friends, Ally McBeal, etc.

Disturbing, depressing, bleak....my kind of movie!
As one reviewer has indicated, this is not your average Troma release. They specialize in cheesy, gory, over the top films for gorehounds and lovers of grade B and C (and sometimes F) cinema. This film, however, is one of their best releases. Incredibly disturbing, depressing, and creepy, the film is about an unemployed Vietnam vet who is undergoing the following:
war flashbacks, run ins with the local drug dealers, pimps, junkies, a bitchy wife, a distant and broke father, a rundown city (NYC during the 1980's, specifically Staten Island), no money, no food, and a hideous baby. The lead actor Giovanno gives a very good performance, and the other performance in the film are relatively good, considering this is a low, low budget film. The war footage is graphic and well done, and the baby is the creepiest thing I've seen in a movie in quite some time. The baby is supposedly deformed because Frankie, the lead character, was exposed to Agent Orange (and, as he puts it, God knows what else). This film has been called of the most depressing films ever made, and it is. The ending seemed a bit predictable, but overall worth renting and maybe buying (it's only 10 bucks).



DEPRESSIVE AND DARK
"Combat Shock" is one of the most depressive movies I've seen. It's so pitch-dark and hopeless you physically begin to feel sick. The main character Frankie is a Vietnam vet who lives in a small flat near a railroad with his always-nagging wife and a mutant baby - because the troops in Vietnam were exposed to some chemical weapons. Frankie has no job, every day he just idly wanders the neighbourhood. His family lives in extreme poverty, they are about to be evicted, they have nothing to eat, and the mutant baby is crying all the way. God... When I was looking at that baby I wanted to turn off the film and watch some comedy instead. My mood was rotten for the next few days. But I was truly amazed by the movie in general. Shot on a very tight budget, it impresses like nothing else I've seen. I didn't have a chance to see other works of Buddy Giovinazzo, but he demonstrated immense talent in this feature. After such films you start to value your simple ordinary life and realise you're utterly happy.
"Combat Shock" is a one day in life of Frankie, and during this day he descends deeper and deeper morally and emotionally right before our eyes. The climax would be just insane, I nearly had a desire to take a bottle and get drunk - to forget the last hour and a half of my life. Now, looking at the movie with a fresh eye I understand it's one of those hidden gems everyone should get acquainted with - it's really different. And don't look it's a Troma team release - this is not a usual Troma presentation. I guess it's their best edition ever.

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